Online property portal group CoStar has signed a definitive agreement to buy residential data specialist Zonda for 800 million dollars in cash. The acquisition brings Zonda's major B2B property information framework and its prominent consumer platforms under the CoStar umbrella. The deal targeting North American new-build housing data is expected to close during the final half of 2026.
US trade association Nareit has rolled out its new PropTech and Innovation Partnership to bridge the gap between commercial property professionals and emerging tech firms. Artificial intelligence specialist Fifth Dimension has joined the 2026 pilot program as its first official participant. The initiative aims to track digital tools impacting real estate operations ahead of a planned full-scale expansion across the sector next year.
Hilton has announced plans to introduce its premium economy brand, Spark by Hilton, to Italy following an agreement with ELE Spa. The 118-room Spark by Hilton Milan Linate Airport is scheduled to open later this year, situated near the terminal. This property will be the eleventh Hilton brand to establish a presence or enter the development pipeline across Italy.
US real estate firm GID has launched its national development platform, GID Residential Partners, into the Boston housing market. The expansion into the supply-constrained region will be led by industry veteran Chris Spendley, who joins the firm as Managing Director. Spendley brings over two decades of multifamily experience to the role, having previously overseen billions in transactions and thousands of residential units.
Construction has commenced on the 147 million dollar Wallace Campus regeneration scheme in Poughkeepsie. The initiative will transform a vacant, historical department store and construct two additional structures to deliver 187 affordable flats alongside 22,000 square feet of commercial space. Backed by state, federal and local funding, the all-electric development forms part of New York State's wider multi-billion dollar housing investment strategy.
Boutique property venture Art Deco Freak has launched a dual-market residential transformation model in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. Founded by entrepreneur Lauren Papa, DC, the firm specialises in turning distressed architectural assets into high-end single-family homes. The strategy avoids standard renovation formulas, focusing instead on historical preservation, upcycled materials, sustainable infrastructure and asset-specific repositioning to deliver premium turnkey properties.
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